BUSINESS · ISSUE 1 OF 3
The NBOA — Navajo Businesses Come First
What it is
The Navajo Business Opportunity Act is the Nation’s procurement-priority law. When the Navajo Nation spends money on contracts, certified Navajo-owned businesses are supposed to get priority. Cal raises it in 38 of 40 interviews. The argument is always about enforcement — not about whether the law is good, but about whether it is being followed. Front companies, ownership thresholds (100%, 51%), slow payment, and change orders without competitive bidding: these are the recurring patterns.
Learn
Understand the system — then consult an expert
The NBOA 101 — what the law says, the priority tiers, and why enforcement is the argument.
Could you win the contract? (quiz) — test your knowledge of the NBOA, site leasing, and competitive bidding.
The law that was supposed to build the economy — the full record from the interviews.
Consult an expert: Ask about NBOA compliance and certification →
Plan & Assess
Where candidates stand — weigh it yourself
Economic Development & the NBOA — candidates side by side — what each candidate said about NBOA enforcement.
Ask any candidate: What percentage of contracts awarded last year went to certified Navajo-owned businesses? Name one specific NBOA enforcement action you would take. Full list →
Act
What you can do now
Request it: Contract award data — vendor names, amounts, and certification status — is public under §2-§225. How to request → · What you can do now →
Report non-compliance: NBOA complaints go to ONLR. Find the right door →
Report & Monitor
Track progress — hold the right office accountable
What should be public: All contract awards over a threshold, with vendor certification status and NBOA compliance documented. What should be public →
Track: Economic development survey → · Community Findings → · Share what you observe →